Masrur temple is famous throughout the world for its rock cut structures. The Masroor Rock Cut Temple is also known as "Himalayan Pyramid" and "Wonder of the World". It is an 8th-century monolithic rock cut temple complex and boasts fifteen temples. The carvings and ornamentations at Masrur are of superior type and attract historians, scholars, and general visitors from all over the country. These rock cut temples are counted among the magnificent rock cut temples of India.
Location of Masrur Temple
It is nestled in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh state of India. It is situated in Masroor in Kangra Valley which is 32 km from Kangra city. These temples are located on a height of 2500 high hill range.
Deities and Architecture of Masrur Temple
The complex of 15 monolithic rock cut temples is carved out of a single rock in the Indo Aryan style. The temples are richly carved. However, the temples are partly in ruins. The temple in the center is carved inside. The entrance in this central temple is facing east. Entrance part is built with four massive columns. Further entrance in the main shrine - garb-griha - leads through especially ornate stone door. The other 14 temples (7 on either side of the central temple) are carved only on the outside. These richly ornamented cave temples form the only rock cut shrines in the whole of North India. The temple complex also has a large rectangular pond which remains filled with water throughout the year.
There are three stone images in the main shrine. The images include of Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita. But there is a figure of Lord Shiva in the middle of the lintel. This affords a strong presumption that the temple was originally dedicated to Mahadeva. Architecture wise, the rock cut Masrur temples are in the Nagara style. Masrur beats its Nagara rival in situation, size and execution.
Efforts are on to have these temples included in UNESCO`s World Heritage Site tentative list. The ideal time to explore the beauty of Masroor Rock Temple is between the months of March and October.